The home EV charger market has expanded rapidly, with brands including Ohme, Zappi, Wallbox, Pod Point, EO Charging, and Indra all offering popular products. For most homeowners, the key decision points are charging speed, smart features, compatibility with your vehicle, and cost. Understanding these factors helps you select a charger that suits your needs rather than simply the model your installer prefers.
Charging speed is determined by the charger's power output. Most home chargers are rated at 7.4kW (single phase, 32A), which will charge a typical EV with a 60kWh battery from empty to full in around 8 hours — perfect for overnight charging. A 22kW three-phase charger charges faster but requires a three-phase electricity supply, which most UK domestic properties do not have. If you have a three-phase supply, a 22kW charger is worth considering; otherwise 7.4kW is the optimum choice.
Smart charging features are increasingly important. A smart charger connects to your home Wi-Fi and allows charging to be scheduled to off-peak electricity tariff periods such as Octopus Go or Economy 7. The Zappi charger from myenergi offers solar divert mode, which charges the vehicle using excess solar generation rather than grid electricity. Ohme's charger integrates directly with smart tariffs and the car's own API to optimise charging automatically.
Tethered chargers (with the cable permanently attached) are more convenient for daily use; untethered chargers (socket only) are more flexible if you have multiple vehicles. Most current EVs use Type 2 connections, so a tethered Type 2 charger suits most households. DP Power Solutions installs all major charger brands and can advise on the best model for your vehicle, usage pattern, and property.
About DP Power Solutions: We are qualified domestic electricians based in Staffordshire, providing EICRs, consumer unit upgrades, rewires, EV charger installation, and more across Cannock, Rugeley, Lichfield, Stafford, and the surrounding area.